WHAT: The Humane Society of Utah (HSU), along with the Humane Society of the United States and other Utah wildlife organizations, are opposed to the Utah Wildlife Board’s proposal to increase the cougar hunting quota.

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 1, 9 a.m.

Cougar Recommendations and Rule amendments for 2016-2017 is #8 on the current agenda.

WHY: The Humane Society of Utah’s mission is to eliminate pain, fear and suffering in all animals. As an animal protective agency, the HSU and its members are opposed to trophy hunting, which has no utilitarian function and is not a comprehensive solution to managing wildlife.

“There is a general disdain for trophy hunting as witnessed in the social backlash surrounding the killing of Cecil, the African lion,” said Gene Baierschmidt, HSU executive director. “Our members do not want to see more cougars killed for sport in the name of wildlife management. We support the need for more research and non-lethal population control methods when possible.”